Gotye and Kimbra – Somebody that I used to know

The slow eking simmer of the first verse. It builds to reveal hurt and anguish. And then the retort – a searing, soaring mezzo-soprano. And all this juxtaposed by a strangely chirpy, sampled instrumental backing.

As soon as I heard this song I had to listen to it again. And then again. And from looking at the charts, others feel the same way too. The song has an intense emotive power that has resonated with many. It reminds me quite a lot of those classic Phil Collins/Kate Bush ballads from the 80’s. An intensity of emotion.

Wally De Backer (Gotye) and Kimbra talk about how they came to write, record and film the video for this song here.